Basketball New Zealand

The Century City Saints have beaten the Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 84-80 in Wellington while the McDonalds Manawatu Jets have beaten the Devon Dynamos Taranaki 110-90 in Palmerston North.

The Dynamos loss leaves them without a win in the 2009 NZCT National Basketball League, the first time any teams has been through a season without a win since the Northland Suns went 0-20 in 1998.

In Wellington the Saints overcame a lethargic first half to beat the Heat and take some confidence into their play-off game with the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks in Wellington on Tuesday night. The first quarter was tight until the Heat pulled away in the dying stages to take a 27-22 lead into the second. The Heat extended that lead to 13 points by half time with Mike Bell having a strong second quarter. The Heat started the third quarter well and pulled further ahead leading by as many as 17 until the Saints finally clicked at the offensive end and stepped up the defensive pressure. By the end of the third quarter the Heat lead had been cut to four points, 65-61. The Saints tied the game up early in the fourth to leave the game tettering for most of the fourth. Down the stretch the Saints defence forced turnovers and tough shots which the Heat could not hit and at the buzzer the Saints had got away with a four point 84-80 victory.

Mike Efevberha was the star for the Saints taking a game high 31 points, pulling down 7 boards, blocking 5 shots and making 5 steals. Damon Thornton also had a strong game with a 19 point, 10 rebound double double. Brendon Polyblank chimed in with 14 and played some strong D. For the Heat, Mike Bell top scored with 22 while Corey Webster (18) and Mychal Green (19) made valuable contributions.

In Palmerston North the Jets finished there season on a high with a 110-90 victory over the Devon Dynamos Taranaki. Both teams had seasons they would rather forget and for Taranaki its been a long hard season with many injuries and no wins.

The Naki did start well taking a 30-26 lead at the first quarter break. By halftime the Jets had there noses in front leading 56-55. The second half was all Manawatu as they won the third quarter 29-18 and the fourth quarter 25-17 to finish with a 20 point, 110-90 victory.

For the Jets Marcel Jones again displayed is scoring prowess leading all scorers with 31. Jamil Terrell (18) and Aidan Daly (16) also made strong contributions.

Saturday, June 13

At TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Century City Saints 84 (Mike Efevberha 31, Damon Thornton 19, Brendon Polyblank 14) v Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 80 (Mike Bell 22, Mychal Green 19, Corey Webster 18, FT

Referees – Alan Godden, Donna Brown, Yalla Edwards
1Q: 22-27
HT: 39-52 (17-25)
3Q: 61-65 (22-13)
FT: 84-80 (23-15)

Saints v Heat Boxscore (html 22KB)

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

McDonalds Manawatu Jets 110 (Marcel Jones 31, Jamil Terrell 18, Aidan Daly 16) v Devon Dynamos Taranaki 90 (Eric Vierniesel 14, Aaron Baily-Nowell 18, Philip Gilbert 23), FT

Referees – Andy Thackray, Sean Cronin, Gareth Teahan
1Q: 26-30
HT: 56-55 (30-25)
3Q: 85-73 (29-18)
FT: 110-90 (25-17)

Jets v Dynamos Boxscore (html 22KB)